made an endorsement, the nra has virtually no impact on congressional elections. the nra endorsement so coveted by so many politicians is almost meaningless, nor does the money that the organization spend have deden straightible impact on the out ofoutcome of races. joining me now is professor of history at the university of michigan, and still with me sam seder, ring of fire. professor, do you agree with me that if we went right at them we could win? >> oh, definitely. lobbyists could be ignored or defeated without great consequences for the elected representative but it's the fear that the rival will get an extra benefit, a little bit more money, maybe an angry constituency will turn against you, that causes i think elected representatives to pay too much attention to single issue lobbyist and the system is set up that they expect that there will always be somebody on the other side. and lobbyists only thrive when there aren't strong voices on the other side. >> eliot: what we're saying is complacency and cowardace. congressmen bow and bend over and are afraid t